2017 NFL Draft – Fantasy Reaction

ROUND 1

No. 2: QB Mitchell Trubisky to Chicago Bears

The Bears pulled off the night’s first shocker, trading up to second overall and selecting North Carolina’s Trubisky. The former Tar Heel didn’t spend much time as the starter during his time at North Carolina but impressed by completing 304 of 446 attempts (68 percent) for 3,748 yards, 30 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last season. He was off target on 7.3 percent of his throws, which was lowest among quarterbacks who attended the combine. Trubisky is considered raw but has a good, accurate arm and will add fantasy production with his legs. Chicago signed Mike Glennon to a three-year, $45 million contract during free agency, so he remains the favorite to start Week 1. Of course, the rookie will get a shot to compete. The Bears’ offensive supporting cast around Trubisky is suspect, at best, so it’s likely to take some time until he makes a big fantasy impact. He can be ignored in 12-team season-long drafts.

Rookie-season projection: 82-of-131, 883 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs

No. 4: RB Leonard Fournette to Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars selected LSU’s Fournette with the fourth overall pick. Fournette is about as big as you’ll find at the position. He’s 6-foot, 240 pounds with 9 1/4-inch hands, 32-inch arms and 4.51-second wheels in the 40-yard dash. An ankle injury limited Fournette to seven games last season, but he was dominant during his first two years with the team. He has terrific upside as a rusher, especially in the scoring department, but he doesn’t figure to do much as a pass-catcher. Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon remain on the roster, but Fournette is a near lock to slide in as the team’s feature back. Expect the Jaguars to lean heavier on the run than they did in the past to keep the ball out of Blake Bortles’ hands, while also relying on their terrific defense. Fournette should immediately be viewed as an RB2 and can be upgraded slightly in non-PPR formats.

The Titans shored up their wide receiver position by snagging Western Michigan’s Davis with the fifth pick. Davis didn’t do much at the combine, so he rode his collegiate production and interviews to a top-five pick. Davis is 6-foot-3, 209 pounds and can work inside and out. He’ll be busy as a deep threat and near the goal line. The Titans had one of the league’s biggest needs at the position, and Davis immediately joins the starting lineup opposite veteran Rishard Matthews. The Titans’ offense is extremely run-heavy, which will certainly limit Davis’ short-term fantasy prospects, but the combination of his talent and opportunity land him in the flex discussion.

Rookie-season projection: 59 receptions, 774 yards, 6 TDs

No. 7: WR Mike Williams to Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers’ crowded group of offensive skill-position players just added yet another asset to the pile with Clemson’s Williams. He figures to immediately join Tyrell Williams on the perimeter, with Keenan Allen working the slot in the Philip Rivers-led offense. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder also will need to fend off Antonio Gates, Hunter Henry, Travis Benjamin and Dontrelle Inman for snaps and targets. Williams doesn’t have a ton of speed in his arsenal, but he’s a big, tough possession receiver who can work at all levels and at the goal line. This offense won’t be short on passing yards and touchdowns, but Williams figures to struggle for big-time target numbers in such a crowded situation. He’s a shaky flex play as a rookie, but he has big-time dynasty upside.

Rookie-season projection: 57 receptions, 696 yards, 5 TDs

No. 8: RB Christian McCaffrey to Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton has a new counterpart in the Panthers’ backfield with Stanford’s McCaffrey. He was about as good as it gets during his time in red and white — and at April’s combine. He produced a whopping 2,327 all-purpose yards last year. Super elusive and athletic, McCaffrey dominated the vertical, three-cone short shuttle and 60-yard dash in Indianapolis. He’s only 20 years old and will immediately contribute as a rusher, receiver and returner. Jonathan Stewart had his contract extended through 2018 but will clearly settle into a reduced role. It’s actually a good one-two punch, with McCaffrey more of a scatback than a strong asset in short yardage. McCaffrey should immediately be viewed as an RB2, especially in PPR formats, and there’s room for more if Carolina features him in the pass game.

The Bengals simply couldn’t pass up Ross’ record-breaking speed. The Washington product ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash at April’s combine and now joins the Bengals’ offense as a speed complement to superstar A.J. Green. With Brandon LaFell, slot man Tyler Boyd and tight end Tyler Eifert also in the mix, quarterback Andy Dalton won’t be short on weapons in 2017 and beyond. Ross is obviously going to be a lid-lifter in the pros and can help out as a returner. He has serious medical concerns, but Cincinnati obviously felt comfortable with the 21-year-old in the first round. Ross is 5-foot-10, 188 pounds, so like the man he’s often compared to — DeSean Jackson — he may never be a good source of touchdowns and high-end receptions totals. That means more value in non-PPR leagues. He’ll be very reliant on big plays in Cincinnati’s suddenly crowded offense in 2017.

Rookie-season projection: 51 receptions, 714 yards, 4 TDs

No. 10: QB Patrick Mahomes to Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid has decided it’s time to look to the future at quarterback. The Chiefs traded up for Mahomes, and he will immediately compete for starting duties with Alex Smith, who will soon turn 33. The Texas Tech product has consistency and accuracy issues but is a terrific athlete with a huge arm. Mahomes tossed 41 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season and showed well in most efficiency categories. Mahomes is likely to open his career as clipboard holder, but Smith’s leash is obviously shorter than ever. At the very least, he’ll be a good bet to make some late-season starts if Kansas City falls out of the playoff mix.

Twelve picks down and eight are of the offensive variety. The Texans traded up with Cleveland — which has now passed on Carson Wentz, Mitchell Trubisky and Watson — to snag their likely Week 1 starter. Clemson’s FBS championship-winning quarterback shouldn’t have much trouble brushing Tom Savage aside. Watson is a terrific athlete with a big arm and a ton of pedigree. He’s 6-foot-4, 221 pounds and came in better than average in every combine drill. Watson threw for 41 touchdowns but was picked off 17 times last year. His 84.9 QBR was tops among quarterbacks who attended the combine. Watson is the best bet among the three rookie quarterbacks chosen thus far to start in Week 1. His legs will give him added fantasy value, and it certainly helps that he’ll be surrounded by a quality group of targets in DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V, Braxton Miller, Lamar Miller and C.J. Fiedorowicz. Watson has some QB2 appeal but will obviously be risky as a rookie.

The draft’s top tight end is headed to Tampa Bay. Howard was underused during his time in Alabama, totaling only 45 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns last season. Howard is 6-foot-6, 251 pounds with exceptional speed, quickness, toughness and athleticism. He crushed it at the combine, posting the quickest times in the three-cone short shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. Howard is also an outstanding blocker, which all but assures him a big role right out of the gate. Of course, rookie tight ends rarely provide much fantasy value, and Cameron Brate was terrific as a receiver last season. That said, Howard should be viewed as no more than a fringe TE2 at the start. He’s a top-end dynasty tight end, however, so consider him in the middle of the first round of your rookie draft. The Jameis Winston-Howard connection will be strong for a long time. As for Brate, he had TE1 appeal entering Thursday night, but this derails his value and upside. He’s now more of a fringe TE2. Your gut reaction might be to assume they’ll go with a ton more two-tight-end sets, but the Eagles led the league in two-tight-end sets in 2016 with just 38 percent of their pass plays. It’s simply not a package teams use much when passing.

Rookie-season projection: 38 receptions, 437 yards, 4 TDs

No. 23: TE Evan Engram to New York Giants

The Giants have had a void at tight end since Martellus Bennett left town for Chicago in 2013. A positional overhaul has left them H-back Rhett Ellison and intriguing rookie Engram. Unlike O.J. Howard, Engram is not a Y/in-line tight end. He will spend most of his time running routes and catching the football. Engram had a terrific combine, pacing the position with a 4.42 40-yard dash. The Ole Miss product is undersized (6-foot-3, 234 pounds) and thus needs work as a blocker, which could cost him snaps early on, but he’s still positioned well for a big rookie-season role on passing downs. It’s hard to get too excited for rookie tight ends, but if the Giants’ offense bounces back after a down 2016 season, Engram could flirt with TE1 value down the stretch.

Rookie-season projection: 47 receptions, 509 yards, 4 TDs

No. 29: TE David Njoku to Cleveland Browns

Cleveland entered the evening in good shape with two first-round picks but ended up selecting three players on the first night of this year’s draft. The first two picks were on defense, but the third is a potential star receiving tight end in Njoku. The Miami product is extremely young (20) and raw, but he is 6-foot-4, 246 pounds with long arms and freakish athleticism. He averaged 11.2 yards after the catch last season. Njoku has work to do as a blocker but figures to open his career as a receiving specialist behind veteran Gary Barnidge. Njoku is unlikely to provide much fantasy value as a rookie, but he is a TE1 in dynasty leagues. He has superstar upside.

Rookie-season projection: 34 receptions, 327 yards, 2 TDs

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ROUND 2

No. 37: WR Zay Jones to Buffalo Bills

The Bills entered this year’s draft with arguably the biggest hole at wide receiver. They addressed it early on Friday by snatching up 6-foot-2, 201-pound Jones. The East Carolina product destroyed April’s combine, posting above-average scores in every drill. Jones can play inside and out, and help out as a returner. Obscenely productive in college, Jones caught 158 of 220 targets for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He is the all-time leader in FBS receptions. Jones figures to quickly slide in as the team’s No. 2 wideout opposite Sammy Watkins. Expect him to work often from the slot. Jones will play a lot of rookie-season snaps in an underrated offense. He’ll be a sneaky PPR flex option.

Rookie-season projection: 53 receptions, 650 yards, 4 TD

No. 40: RB/WR Curtis Samuel to Carolina Panthers

The Panthers said they wanted to get Cam Newton help this weekend. They’ve made big waves in that area already, adding Christian McCaffrey and now Ohio State’s Samuel. The versatile 20-year-old ran a 4.31 40-yard dash in Indy and will contribute as a rusher, receiver and returner. Samuel caught 74 passes for 982 yards and ran for 771 yards on 97 carries last year, while scoring 15 touchdowns. Especially with McCaffrey on board, Samuel figures to show up as a wide receiver on Carolina’s roster, and spend most of his time in the slot. His jack-of-all-trades role might limit his fantasy upside, but Samuel’s athleticism and upside very well could allow him a Tyreek Hill or Percy Harvin-like impact.

The Vikings have landed one of this year’s most intriguing running back prospects. Cook was expected to be a first-round pick, but a rough combine, combined with health, fumbles and off-field concerns led to a fall. Cook was outstanding during his time at Florida State. He has good game speed, terrific elusiveness and vision and will help out in the passing game. The FSU product joins a tricky situation, as Minnesota signed Latavius Murray and already have Jerick McKinnon. The projection here is tough, as we’ll need to wait and see if the Vikings force Murray out there until Cook inevitably takes the job and runs away with it. Still, he’s too good for us to not expect RB2 production once he lands the lead back gig. He’ll be a worthwhile mid-round pick, but might start slow.

Everett is the next in a terrific tight end rookie class. The South Alabama product averaged 11.4 yards after catch last season, which topped all tight ends who were at the combine. He profiles as a big slot pass catcher, but is a decent blocker who can emerge into a every-down player. He’s a terrific athlete with good speed and toughness but heads to one of the league’s worst offenses and will need to beat out second-year Tyler Higbee for snaps. Everett is a fine dynasty stash, but a poor bet to make a fantasy splash in 2017.

Rookie-season projection: 28 receptions, 304 yards, 2 TD

No. 45: TE Adam Shaheen to Chicago Bears

The Bears traded up for Mitchell Trubisky on Thursday and provided their potential franchise quarterback with a new weapon Friday. Shaheen is a small-school product out of Ashland University. He’s a big man at 6-foot-6, 278 pounds and, despite a poor combine showing, is powerful, fast and quick on tape. He’s a good receiver but has a ways to go as a blocker. Shaheen is likely to spend 2017 learning the ropes from 32-year-old and contract-year Zach Miller. He’s a fine dynasty hold with little short-term value.

Rookie-season projection: 13 receptions, 139 yards, 1 TD

No. 48: RB Joe Mixon to Cincinnati Bengals

Clearly displeased by Jeremy Hill’s production over the past two years, the Bengals took the plunge on Mixon on Friday night. Off-field issues aside, Mixon is arguably the best talent at the position in this year’s draft. He’s 6-foot-1, 228 pounds with 4.50 wheels. He’s a good rusher and an outstanding receiver. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and 14.5 yards per reception at Oklahoma last year. Mixon’s 2017 prospects are tough to predict with Hill still on the roster, but it’s now very possible he’s traded this weekend, or released closer to the season. Giovani Bernard is also recovering from torn ACL, so Mixon could simply start out as a passing-down complement to Hill. Eventually, Mixon has three-down, Le’Veon Bell-esque upside. He’s an outstanding dynasty target and his 2017 value will depend on the status of Hill and Bernard.

The Browns passed on Carson Wentz, Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson, but they finally made an impact addition at quarterback position Friday. Kizer is extremely young (21) and raw, but is big (6-foot-4, 233 pounds), mobile and athletic. He has a huge arm but will need to improve his decision-making and accuracy. Kizer was off-target on a prospect-high 14.5 percent of his throws last year. The Notre Dame product will immediately compete with underrated Cody Kessler (and possibly Brock Osweiler) for the team’s Week 1 gig. He might not start right away, but Kizer is likely to make some starts this season. He won’t be a fantasy asset in the short term.

Rookie-season projection: 132 of 220, 1,412 yards, 6 TD, 6 INT

No. 62: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh has quite a bit of talent at the wide receiver position but added yet another asset Friday night. Smith-Schuster is one of the youngest incoming rookies at only 20 years and four months old. He’s 6-foot-1, 215 pounds with long arms and big hands. Smith-Schuster projects as a possession receiver in the mold of Brandon Marshall or Anquan Boldin. The former safety doesn’t offer much in terms of separation or speed, but he’s physical, has strong hands and will dominate after the catch. Though he might seem intriguing in Pittsburgh’s high-scoring offense, keep in mind that he’ll start out competing for reps with Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates, Justin Hunter and Darrius Heyward-Bey behind Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. Additionally, Ben Roethlisberger is 35 years old and already flirting with retirement, which means the man who will be throwing Smith-Schuster passes over the next decade is very much an unknown. Rookie-season fantasy value is possible if injuries land him a big snap boost, but Smith-Schuster is probably headed for a de facto redshirt season.

Rookie-season projection: 21 receptions, 266 yards, 2 TD

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ROUND 3

No. 67: RB Alvin Kamara to New Orleans Saints

If you didn’t think Sean Payton was a big fan of Mark Ingram one week ago, you’re sure of it today. Days after signing Adrian Peterson to a two-year contract, the Saints selected Kamara in the third round of the draft. Kamara is obviously blocked from significant playing time early on but has three-down upside, return ability and could be the team’s eventual lead back. He’s 5-foot-10, 214 pounds and showed his athleticism with impressive performances in the vertical and broad jumps at April’s combine. Kamara has good size, speed and elusiveness. He’s a candidate to replace Travaris Cadet as the primary back in obvious passing situations, but note that New Orleans called pass plays on 97 percent of Cadet’s snaps last season. Buried behind Ingram and Peterson, Kamara will be no more than a late-round, handcuff flier in 2017 fantasy leagues.

No. 69: WR Cooper Kupp to Los Angeles Rams

The Eastern Washington product is one of the oldest incoming rookies (he turns 24 in June). Kupp sports a 6-foot-1, 204-pound frame with big hands and profiles as a possession receiver at the pro level. He tore it up during four years in college, posting 6,512 yards and 74 touchdowns on 445 touches. He also added 516 yards and three scores on 30 returns, as well as 180 yards and four touchdowns on 10 pass attempts. Kupp underwhelmed at the combine, but his body of work landed him a third-round selection. Kupp will open his career battling with the likes of Pharoh Cooper and Michael Thomas for reps behind Tavon Austin and Robert Woods. There’s not much 2017 fantasy appeal in an offense unlikely to score all that often.

Rookie-season projection: 35 receptions, 441 yards, 2 TD

No. 72: WR Taywan Taylor to Tennessee Titans

The Titans have now officially overhauled their wide receiver corps over the past two years. They signed Rishard Matthews and drafted Tajae Sharpe last offseason. On Thursday, they selected Corey Davis with the draft’s fifth overall pick and now Western Kentucky’s Taylor has been added to the mix. Taylor is 5-foot-11, 203 pounds with long arms and terrific short-area quickness (he posted a wide receiver-best 6.57 three-cone at the combine). He lacks game-changing speed (4.50 40-yard dash), but his separation skills and post-catch ability make him a valuable target in the short-to-intermediate area. Taylor will immediately compete with Sharpe for the team’s No. 3 gig, but is unlikely to generate much 2017 fantasy value in Tennessee’s run-heavy scheme.

Rookie-season projection: 26 receptions, 338 yards, 2 TD

No. 79: WR ArDarius Stewart to New York Jets

Stewart is already 23 years old but adds versatility to the Jets’ offense as a receiver, rusher and returner. Stewart has enough size (5-foot-11, 204 pounds) and ability to line up on the perimeter and dominate downfield, but his combination of strength and physicality also allowed him big-time production after the catch at Alabama (averaged 10.5 yards after the catch last season). The Jets’ quarterback situation is a mess, but Stewart figures to immediately compete with Robby Anderson for snaps opposite Eric Decker. He’s a better dynasty pick than he is a 2017 fantasy asset.

Rookie-season projection: 33 receptions, 406 yards, 2 TD

No. 82: WR Carlos Henderson to Denver Broncos

One of the more underrated needs in this year’s draft was wide receiver for Denver. The Broncos directed 52 percent of their targets at two players — Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders — last year. Thomas is 29 and Sanders just turned 30. Henderson broke out at Louisiana Tech last season, registering 1,668 yards and 21 touchdowns from scrimmage, and adding 805 yards and a pair of scores on 25 kick returns. Henderson is on the small side (5-foot-11, 199 pounds), but he’s fast (4.46 40), quick, versatile and sure-handed. Expect him to quickly win the team’s No. 3/slot gig. His primary 2017 fantasy value will be as a handcuff to Thomas and Sanders.

Rookie-season projection: 34 receptions, 427 yards, 2 TD

No. 84: WR Chris Godwin to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers added another tool to Jameis Winston’s arsenal. The Penn State product crushed it at April’s combine, running a 4.42 40-yard dash and posting position-best marks in the bench press (19) and short shuttle (4.00). Godwin was a deep threat at PSU, but is good in traffic and has terrific ball skills. Expect him to start behind Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and slot man Adam Humphries. He won’t be worth drafting in 2017 season-long fantasy leagues.

No. 86: RB Kareem Hunt to Kansas City Chiefs

One of my favorite players in this year’s draft, Hunt is both elusive and terrific at forcing missed tackles. Per Pro Football Focus, the 5-foot-10, 216-pound back forced an FBS-best 100 missed tackles on 303 touches during the 2016 season. In turn, he ended up as the site’s highest-graded FBS running back. Hunt disappointed with a 4.62 40-yard dash at the combine but was very efficient as a rusher at Toledo. He’s also an exceptional pass-catcher and has three-down upside. He makes a ton of sense in an Andy Reid offense that always gets the best out of its tailbacks. Hunt figures to begin his career as a passing-down complement to Spencer Ware, which allows him a little bit of PPR value. This landing spot puts him in the first-round mix in rookie drafts.

Webb has been a hot name over the past few weeks and was actually discussed as a potential first-round pick. He fell to the Giants in the third round and provides the team with a developmental passer behind Eli Manning. Webb is 6-foot-5, 229 pounds but has small hands and has struggled with decision-making and accuracy. He struggled to 6.9 yards per attempt at Cal last season. Webb will hold the clipboard for another year or three and thus has no short-term fantasy value.

No. 89: RB D’Onta Foreman to Houston Texans

When the Texans signed Lamar Miller last offseason, there were concerns that he wouldn’t hold up if handed a much bigger workload. That seemed to be the case as he struggled to the worst efficiency of his career in 2016. The Texans gave him some help Friday night by adding Foreman to the mix. He’s quick and athletic for someone who is 6-foot, 233 pounds. Foreman offers very little in the passing game and figures to be limited to early down and short-yardage work at the NFL level. He immediately has some 2017 fantasy value as Miller’s handcuff but won’t have much standalone appeal.

Golladay is a height/weight/speed prospect at 6-foot-4, 218 pounds with 4.50 wheels. He caught 87 balls at Northern Illinois last season and didn’t drop a single pass. He’s also versatile enough to help as a rusher and returner. Golladay will compete for work on the perimeter, but he is unlikely to do much fantasy damage out of the gate.

No. 98: WR Chad Williams to Arizona Cardinals

Williams was one of the bigger surprises on Day 2 of the draft, but that’s nothing new for the Cardinals at the wide receiver position. Williams is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with 4.43 wheels and character concerns (he wasn’t invited to the combine following an arrest). Williams has decent hands and is good with the ball in his hands. He has a shot to see the field often in a Cardinals offense that had four wide receivers on the field for 19 percent of its pass plays last season (third highest). Still, he’ll need an injury to another Cardinals pass-catcher to land fantasy-relevant target numbers.

No. 100: TE Jonnu Smith to Tennessee Titans

The Titans continue to add weapons for Marcus Mariota. Smith is a 6-foot-3, 248-pound two-way tight end out of Florida International. He enjoyed a terrific combine, posting an above-average mark in every drill he took part in. Oddly enough, he’s drawn comparisons to his new mentor, Delanie Walker. Smith is athletic with good speed and post-catch production. He’s strong but undersized and will need to cut down on drops. He’ll spend a year or two in multiple-tight-end sets before potentially replacing Walker as the Titans’ top tight end.

No. 104: QB C.J. Beathard to San Francisco 49ers

Check that. Beathard is now the biggest shocker of Day 2. Considered a late-rounder at best, Beathard’s efficiency was brutal during his final season at Iowa. It included a total QBR of 44 and a 17:10 TD:INT mark. He completed 57 percent of his passes despite a low 6.2-yard average depth of throw. Beathard figures to be a healthy scratch early on but will eventually push for some starts. There’s little appeal here, short term or long term.

No. 105: RB James Conner to Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have their replacement for DeAngelo Williams behind workhorse Le’Veon Bell. Conner, who was recently cleared after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is a tough 6-foot-1, 233 pounds, but he doesn’t bring much speed or quickness to the table. He’s a solid receiver, catching 21 of his 25 targets for 474 yards and four scores last season. The Pitt product won’t have to travel far to back up Bell. He has handcuff appeal out of the gate but limited upside long term.

No. 106: WR Amara Darboh to the Seattle Seahawks

For the third time in four years, Seattle has picked a wide receiver in the second or third round. Unlike the previous two picks (Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett), Darboh brings size to the table. He’s 6-foot-2, 214 pounds and his terrific combine effort included a 4.45 40-yard dash. He’s big, tough, athletic and a good blocker, which makes him a logical candidate to replace Jermaine Kearse, who struggled last season. Like Kearse, Darboh has little fantasy value, at least in the short term.

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